The Stanley Cup was dented this week when it fell off a table while former Bruins forward Michael Ryder was traveling with it in his native Newfoundland.
Clearly, the NHL isn't keen on the the 35-pound Cup -- insured at $1.5 million -- taking too many hits. So the league has set up rules for its most prized possession.
So we asked Howie Borrow, one of five Hockey Hall of Fame employees who give the Cup the white-glove treatment, to clue us in on The Stanley Cup's Road Rules.
1. Have It Home By Midnight
The Cup has a curfew to protect it from after-hours shenanigans. "Sometimes," Borrow says, "it's just easier to tuck it away." Once, Sid Crosby was photographed sleeping next to it.
2. No Casinos or Gentlemen's Clubs
The Cup made an appearance this year in Las Vegas for the NHL's annual awards ceremony, but the league is careful about the company the Cup keeps, especially in a risqué setting or where gambling enters the equation.
3. Don't Get It Wet*
Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask visited a traditional Finnish Sauna, which exposes participants to heat levels between 158-212 degrees. The Cup went in for a quick photo opp, but didn’t take part in the post-sauna dip in the lake. When on water, Stanley must wear a life jacket. "We don't want to be diving in after it," Borrow says.
4. No Skydiving
As if there isn't enough to be concerned with jumping out of a plane, the NHL doesn't want the risk of its precious cargo falling from 12,000 feet. Try explaining that one to commish Gary Bettman.
5. No Heavy Lifting
The Cup has kissed, caressed and even been mistaken for a baby's crib. While it's the ultimate people's trophy, fans are asked not to hoist it over their head. "That right is reserved for the players who have
won it," Borrow says.
6. Travel In Pairs
Handlers like Borrow sometimes work solo, but on European travels, two workers man it. "It helps with the language barrier,” Borrow says.
* This rule must have been added after the publication of "Why Is The Stanley Cup In Mario Lemieux's Swimming Pool?"
